Instrument Rating

The flight training chapter prepares students for the nuance of flight instruction, including:

• Finding an FAA Certified Flight Instructor.
• Finding an FAA Certified Flight School.
• Introducing the applicable pilot certificates and rating requirements.
• Finding a Designee (FAA Evaluator).
• Introducing the instrument rating.
• Cockpit management techniques.
• Navigating aircraft transitions.
• Getting back into flying.
• Acquiring and using an electronic flight bag.

Aircraft operations cover various procedures based on the phase of flight, including:

• Ground operations pre- and post-flight.
• Departures into the en-route structure.
• The en-route structure.
• Arrivals from the enroute structure.
• Terminal area procedures.
• Instrument approach procedures.
• Considerations for operating at night.
• Exploring gliding/soaring operations.

The aeromedical & human factors chapter reviews the human element of the flight environment, including:

• Understanding the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Learning the Aeronautical Decision-Making process.
• Crew Resource Management practices.
• Hyperventilation risks and solutions.
• Managing the risks of hypoxia.
• Exploring spatial disorientation & illusions in flight.
• Determining Fitness for Flight.
• Medical Certificate Requirements
• Understanding the nervous system.
• Vestibular system strengths and limitations.
• Effectively leveraging the eyes and vision.

The aerodynamics & performance chapter contextualizes the why behind maneuvers by describing flight characteristics, including:

• Breaking apart aircraft components & structure.
• Understanding the principles of flight.
• Reviewing the totality of possible performance calculations.
• The factors influencing Aircraft Stability.
• Cold and warm temperature operations impact on flight execution.
• Performance during stall maneuvers.
• Performance in cruise flight.
• Calculating weight and balance.
• Performance in turning maneuvers.
• Atmospheric effects in various flight regimes.
• Applying takeoff & climb performance in different situations.
• Planning for descent and landing performance.

The maneuvers & procedures chapter describes the steps required when performing ground and flight maneuvers, including:

• Performing takeoff and landing procedures.
• Airborne maneuvers.
• Navigating Instrument Flight Rule procedures.
• Aerobatic flight maneuvers.
• Encountering and applying emergency procedures.
• Ground reference maneuvers as a foundation.
• Performing aircraft stalls.
• Formation flight fundamentals.

The operation of aircraft systems chapter reviews the form, function, and interaction of airborne and ground-based systems, including:

• Aircraft Lighting
• Use of aircraft environmental control systems, ensuring comfort of pilot and passengers.
• Electrical
• Reviewing flight control system performance to maneuver the aircraft.
• Ensuring a ready aviation fuel system.
• Understanding Gyroscopic Systems and the instruments they power.
• The benefits of hydraulic & Pneumatic systems.
• Aircraft Icing Protection Systems
• Ignition
• Aircraft Induction Systems
• Landing Gear
• Managing heat and friction through lubrication systems.
• Pitot-Static and Vacuum
• Powerplant
• Propeller
• Mitigating high altitude risks with supplemental oxygen.

The weather & atmosphere chapter describes atmospheric phenomena and the products that aim to predict their impacts, including:

• Prognostic Charts
• ATC In-Flight Weather Avoidance Assistance
• The makeup and composition of the Earth's atmosphere.
• Aviation Routine Weather Report (METARs)
• Clouds in the Aviation Environment
• Convective Outlook
• ERAU Weather Information Sheet
• Leveraging weather resources through FAA weather services.
• Fog in the aviation environment and the associated dangers.
• Air masses and weather fronts and their effect on the atmosphere.
• Aircraft icing on ground and in-flight.
• In-flight weather advisories, including AIRMETs, SIGMETS, and Convective SIGMETs.
• Low-Level Wind Shear & Microburst Detection Systems
• Microbursts
• Relaying aviation conditions through pilot reports (PIREPs).
• Preflight Briefing
• Radar Summary Chart
• Surface Analysis Chart
• Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF)
• Terminal Broadcast Services and Systems
• Thunderstorms and lightning, very very frightening.
• Wind and Temperature Aloft (FB) forecasts, and their value in planning.
• W.M.O. Present Weather Code List

The navigation & flight planning chapter explains how to plan flights, utilizing navigation tools and techniques, including:

• Area Navigation
• Diversions in response to the dynamic aviation environment.
• conducting flight planning to safely and effectively complete a flight.
• Navigation & Flight Planning
• Required Navigation Performance
• Filing and flying VFR & IFR flight plans.
• VFR Cross-Country Flight
• Navigation Charts

The remotely-piloted aircraft chapter uncovers the latest aviation technologies and automation, including:

• Lost Link

The national airspace system chapter describes the rules of the sky as they relate to controlled and uncontrolled airspace areas, including:

Controlled Airspace:

• Class Alpha Airspace for the high-altitude environment.
• Class Bravo Airspace around the busiest of airports.
• Class Charlie Airspace and terminal procedures.
• Class Delta Airspace across the U.S.
• Class Echo Airspace, the space in between.

Uncontrolled Airspace:

• Class Golf Airspace for the uncontrolled environment.

Special Use Airspace:

• Prohibited
• Restricted
• National Security Area (NSA)
• Warning Areas
• Military Operating Area (MOA)
• Alert Areas
• Controlled Firing Area (CFAs)

Other Airspace:

• Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs)
• Wildlife and Recreational Area
• Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ)
• Airport Advisory/Information Services
• Military Training Routes (MTRs)
• Parachute Jump Aircraft Operations
• Published VFR Routes
• Terminal Radar Service Area (TRSA)

The avionics & instruments chapter introduces the instruments, both airborne and ground-based for pilots to reference in flight, including:

• Know your speed with the airspeed indicator.
• Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B)
• Height indicators with an Altimeter.
• Attitude Indicator
• Distance Measuring Equipment (DME)
• Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT)
• Non-Directional Radio Beacon (NDB)
• Heading Indicator
• Magnetic Compass
• Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN)
• Transponder
• Turn Coordinator
• Vertical Speed Indicator (VSI)
• VHF Omni-Directional Range (VOR)
• Instrument Landing System (ILS)

The publications & references chapter identifies important documents for pilot use in flight planning and execution, including:

• Operating Handbooks
• FAA Manuals
• Other Publications:
  • Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM)
  • Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs)
  • Pilot Safety Brochures
  • Pilot/Controller Glossary (P/CG)
  • Advisory Circular (AC)
  • Chart Supplement U.S.
  • Airport Diagram
  • Federal Aviation Regulations
  • Notice to Airmens (NOTAMS)
  • Airworthiness Documentation
  • Airman Certification Standards (ACS)
  • Registration Certificate
  • Pilots Information Manual (PIM)

The rules & regulation chapter reviews the regulatory environment surrounding aviation operations, including:

• Aviation Roles
• Aircraft Speed
• Callsigns
• Careless or Reckless Operation
• Carriage
• Dropping Objects
• Instrument Flight Rules
• Operating Near Other Aircraft
• Parachutes and Parachuting
• Maintaining pilot logbooks for regulatory compliance.
• Honoring right-of-way rules.
• Solo Restrictions
• Special VFR or (SVFR) procedures.
• Safety margins with takeoff minimums.
• Visual Flight Rules

The flight hazards & safety chapter covers potential hazards to safe flight and procedures to mitigate them, including:

• Aircraft Arresting Systems
• Accident Cause Factors
• Bird Hazards
• Obstructions To Flight
• Flight Operations in Volcanic Ash
• Lost communication in aviation.
• Emergency Voice Reports
• Situations requiring intercept procedures.
• Light Gun Signals
• Emergency Equipment
• Emergency Procedures
• Lost Aircraft Procedures
• Search and Rescue (SAR)
• Seaplane Safety
• Mountain Flying
• Traffic Avoidance Systems
• National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Regulations

The air traffic control chapter covers the national air traffic control system and its management of the national airspace system, including:

• Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT)
• Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON)
• Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC)
• Radio Communications
• Radio Detection And Ranging (RADAR)
• Radar Vectors
• Terminal Broadcast Services and Systems
• FAA Weather Services
• FAA Radar Services
• Separation Standards
• JO (7110.65) Air Traffic Organization Policy

The aviation maintenance chapter covers the procedures required to maintain an aircraft's physical and legal airworthiness, including:

• Preventive Maintenance
• Aircraft Logbooks

• Still looking for something? Continue searching:

• Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association - Aerodynamics Resources
• Federal Aviation Administration - Pilot/Controller Glossary
• FAAST - Energy Management